Development of a multivalent respiratory mucosal ChAd-vectored universal influenza virus vaccine

Due to the rapid evolution and diversity of Influenza viruses, seasonal vaccines require yearly updates to protect against circulating strains that cause severe illness and significant mortality. Unfortunately, since current vaccines are strain-specific, they provide limited protection against influenza virus strains that they were not designed to target, leaving us vulnerable in the event of a novel influenza virus pandemic. In response, we have developed a multivalent universal inhaled influenza virus vaccine using a chimpanzee adenovirus vector. Unlike current strain-specific vaccines, our universal vaccine aims to elicit a robust immune response by inducing the production of de novo antigens against epitopes that are highly conserved among diverse influenza viruses. Also, by delivering the vaccine through respiratory mucosal vaccination, we aim to generate strong and enduring immune responses in the airway, the primary entry point for Influenza viruses. I will investigate this by synthesizing the candidate vaccines, evaluating the immune response in a laboratory mice model, and assessing their effectiveness against diverse influenza virus challenges, including Influenza A viruses with pandemic potential. Given the concerns of future pandemics and the looming threat of H5N1, this project holds significant importance for influenza virus pandemic prevention and response strategies.